Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[jpm1]

Whoa... I watched that game on TV!

As for the Berwick, that’s just about the highest quality Polished Cobbler you’re likely to see on any pair of shoes:

These are my similar vintage Berwick’s, via @CWOyaji:

Extreme close-up, excellent bend, super-tight creasing:

According to one of the catalogs, they sourced their PC from England.

Fantastic pair. I hope to find a burgundy too at some point. My previous impression with AE PC was the Walden loafer very plastic like. You are right this particular leather is truly excellent.

 

[wasmisterfu]

FU these are incredible. The MacGregor pattern might be my favorite bal pattern that they have.

What stands out to me on your pair is how well the medallion is positioned. That strand medallion could look a little crowded and pushed forward on the 65 last wings, particularly on narrower sizes. The proportions on the 97 are just perfect. What size are those?

edit: 14b. Just noticed.

Yup, Sasquatch feet. My nominal length is a 13.5, thanks to my big toes, but that means on AE lasts, I can generally do either a 13 C/D or a 14 B/C (depending on last) with negligible difference. I can even do a 14D, if the shoe hasn’t been stretched out (I generally don’t buy a used 14D, but my own few examples, purchased new by me, work just fine (so long as they’re a lace-up).

 

[wasmisterfu]

Fantastic pair. I hope to find a burgundy too at some point. My previous impression with AE PC was the Walden loafer very plastic like. You are right this particular leather is truly excellent.

You can do interesting stuff with Polished Cobbler, once it gets to terminal stage (as it’s still PU coated, it’ll eventually not look so awesome):

If you’ve never read the saga of de-correcting the grain, here it is:

2018 shoe revival challenge

Any way to refurbish a pair of camp Mocs? I have the northland from AE and wear them all the time. After two years they don’t look great. They have a chromepak leather on them that’s oiled. I don’t think you can put polish on them.

www.styleforum.net

2018 shoe revival challenge

Oh and a little more shoe Appreciation, these Alden shell 990 PTB’s in #8 that I e-thrifted for one of my sons just showed up. 10% of retail. Haven’t done a thing to them yet. [Edit] - sorry, this post probably belongs in the vintage shoe thread. I’m on mobile and didn’t notice. Carry on.

www.styleforum.net

 

[friendlygoz]

View attachment 1419384

A new addition to my 1986 Collection. This is the Allen Edmonds Berwick Longwing Tassel on the 97 last in Polished Cobbler.

The baseball is a foul ball I got from Game 4 of the 1986 World Series. Al Nipper was the pitcher and Lenny Dykstra hit the pitch in the 3rd inning at Fenway Park. Couple notable signatures on there too! Traumatic series for a 9 year old Sox fan but a pretty sweet memento to have all these years later.

That’s really cool. I remember that series well. I lived in Boston when they 86ed the curse. That city didn’t know what to do with itself.

 

[DapperAndy]

You can do interesting stuff with Polished Cobbler, once it gets to terminal stage (as it’s still PU coated, it’ll eventually not look so awesome):

If you’ve never read the saga of de-correcting the grain, here it is:

2018 shoe revival challenge

Any way to refurbish a pair of camp Mocs? I have the northland from AE and wear them all the time. After two years they don’t look great. They have a chromepak leather on them that’s oiled. I don’t think you can put polish on them.

www.styleforum.net

2018 shoe revival challenge

Oh and a little more shoe Appreciation, these Alden shell 990 PTB’s in #8 that I e-thrifted for one of my sons just showed up. 10% of retail. Haven’t done a thing to them yet. [Edit] - sorry, this post probably belongs in the vintage shoe thread. I’m on mobile and didn’t notice. Carry on.

www.styleforum.net

That was nuts to follow-along!

 

[wasmisterfu]

That was nuts to follow-along!

Best prize I ever won was your Shoe Polish products.

Quick plug for DapperAndy: https://www.purepolishproducts.com/

Seriously, the best polish and wax I’ve ever used, bar none.

Example:

 

[Joe Wohkittel]

The insoles are rotten, but I find them interesting none the less.

Famous-Barr ST Louis Loafers Brown Leather Shoes Mens 8.5 D made in England | eBay

Famous-Barr ST Louis Loafers Brown Leather Shoes Mens 8.5 D made in England. Condition is Pre-owned. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.

www.ebay.com

 

[meister]

You should start with one of the "Bomber" last John McHales. Either the short wing brogue or the cap-toe Bluchers can be found. Here are a handful of mine. View attachment 1419313

 

[meister]

I'm intrigued by a couple of pairs of C&J on the Bay, and I'm hoping to get input about the quality and fit from any brother(s) who know something about them. The first is the Trafford model. They are listed as 8D UK; 9D US.

VINTAGE | Crockett & Jones "Trafford" UK 8 D US 9 Wing Tip Derby Brogue Pebbled | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VINTAGE | Crockett & Jones "Trafford" UK 8 D US 9 Wing Tip Derby Brogue Pebbled at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

The second is a pair of C&J for RL Polo:

Vintage Polo Ralph Lauren Made in England C&J Cognac Patina Cap Toe Shoes 9 D NR | eBay

Maker Polo. Heel Height 1. Insole Length 11. Notes lots of wear, cracks. Material Leather.

www.ebay.com

Are these worth considering?

I have a few pairs of Polo C&Js from the early 21c. The names used are Polo but are copies of the UK standard models. Mine get constant use after the application of the obligatory Topy.

They essentially were up-specced to C&J handgrade standard shoes but cleverly sold for bench grade prices in those days (like USD250).

The fit though was more American so I can wear a 10.5D US for my (usual) UK 10 feet (comfortably tight) but US11 is spot on for me.

Some of the colours (like British tan) were also factored in specifically for the US market.

One of the great buys IMHO if they are not trashed or brutalized in the last 15 years and have sat unloved in a closet.

Crockett & Jones Peal & Co. 240 Last Cap Toe Brown Dress Shoes Size 10.5 D | eBay

Small scrape in heel area seen in photos.

www.ebay.com.au

 

[DapperAndy]

Best prize I ever won was your Shoe Polish products.

Quick plug for DapperAndy: https://www.purepolishproducts.com/

Seriously, the best polish and wax I’ve ever used, bar none.

Example:

Thanks buddy, that means a lot! ?

 

[happypebble]

Vintage Florsheim white/ivory loafers. Shipped from Florida, exactly where you'd expect these old man shoes to be...I imagine a previous owner driving a golf cart around a FL retirement community. Wow, are these ever comfortable; lightweight without feeling cheap, and the materials seem to be good quality, with minimal wear. Leather is quite soft. These have obviously been cared for, so I will do my best to maintain them well and not trash them. Fit is correct. I guess I really am a 13D, as much as I might experiment with other sizes. They have just enough wear that I don't find myself in the "too nice to wear" dilemma. I guess I'm officially old now. Get off my lawn!

 

[Oshare]

Did someone say John McHales?

 

[woofmang]

Best prize I ever won was your Shoe Polish products.

Quick plug for DapperAndy: https://www.purepolishproducts.com/

Seriously, the best polish and wax I’ve ever used, bar none.

Example:

+1 on Pure Polish - great stuff!

 

[wasmisterfu]

The insoles are rotten, but I find them interesting none the less.

Famous-Barr ST Louis Loafers Brown Leather Shoes Mens 8.5 D made in England | eBay

Famous-Barr ST Louis Loafers Brown Leather Shoes Mens 8.5 D made in England. Condition is Pre-owned. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.

www.ebay.com

Might get some wear out of them, but yeah, the insoles don’t look very healthy, and there are some other problems too (like around the collar).

 

[wasmisterfu]

+1 on Pure Polish - great stuff!

Yeah, no joke, it really is. Plus, the stuff makes your shoes smell nice.